zì jǐ
self
The Chinese word '自己' refers to oneself or itself. It can be used in a variety of contexts such as to refer to oneself (我自己 - myself), in reflexive actions (他喜欢自己的工作 - He likes his own work), or to emphasize a point (我自己做的 - I did it myself).
wǒ xūyào zìjǐ zuò juédìng.
I need to make the decision myself.
This phrase emphasizes the speaker's desire to make their own decisions, without the intervention or influence from others.
nǐ yīnggāi zìjǐ qù kàn.
You should go see for yourself.
The speaker suggests that the listener should personally go and observe the situation, rather than hearing it from others.
tāmen zìjǐ zhòng de shūcài.
The vegetables they grew themselves.
This phrase is explaining that these vegetables were personally grown by ‘they’. This could be interpreted to show they put effort into the process.
tā bìxū zìjǐ chǔlǐ.
She must handle it herself.
This phrase indicates that the subject, here being 'she', must take responsibility and handle the situation on her own.
zìjǐ de xuéxí nǐ děi zìjǐ fùzé.
You have to be responsible for your own learning.
This phrase suggests that 'you' should be held accountable for your own learning progress and can't depend on others.
wǒmen zìjǐ zhǎodào de dá'àn.
The answer we found ourselves.
This phrase is highlighting that 'we' independently found the answer.
tā zìjǐ mǎi de fángzi.
The house he bought himself.
This phrase suggests that 'he' bought the house on his own, not relying on others.
nǐ zìjǐ zuò de fàn wèidào zěnmeyàng?
How does the food you cooked yourself taste?
The speaker is asking about the taste of the food that 'you' cooked personally.
zhè shì wǒ zìjǐ zuò de.
This is something I did myself.
This phrase is emphasizing that the speaker did or made something on their own.
nǐ xūyào zìjǐ miàn duì wèntí.
You need to face the problem yourself.
This phrase suggests that 'you' need to take responsibility and confront the problem directly, rather than avoiding it or relying on others.